Convertible garment bag

ABSTRACT

A convertible garment comprising a single piece of fabric with a front panel and a back panel connected together defining a neck opening, two shoulder straps, a left arm opening and a right arm opening. The garment further comprises a pair of zipper members disposed at bottom circumferential edges of the front panel and the back panel, for converting the garment into a bag by fastening the zipper members and back again to garment by unfastening the zipper members.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of convertible garments and bags, more specifically, the invention relates to a sleeveless upper body garment, which is convertible into a tote bag for carrying garments and other objects.

2. Description of Related Art

Tote bags or shoulder bags are used to carry garments and other objects, usually in addition to regular travel bags. While visiting outdoor locations such as a beach, one needs to carry a separate bag for storing personal belongings such as wallet, phone, towel, footwear, garments, sunglasses, wristwatch and other accessories. However, some people do not prefer to carry too many bags or does not want to carry any bag at all. In addition, some people prefer to independently carry their personal stuff. In order to overcome the above problems, convertible garment bag combination has been developed.

In designing such convertible garment bag combinations, it is desirable to provide a design construction that is both economical to manufacture and simple to use. Another consideration is that there should be no compromise in aesthetic qualities and utility features of the convertible garment bag in both garment and bag configurations. The primary goal is to provide a useful and aesthetically pleasing garment that is easily and quickly convertible into a bag as well.

Various designs of foldable outer garments exist in the art. These garments can be folded into a compact package and placed into a backpack or clipped to a belt, or carried easily by hand. Some garments can be folded and placed within a pouch attached to the garment. However, this pouch cannot be used for storing or carrying other objects. Therefore, it is desirable to have a garment, which may act as an extra bag to carry other items and is easier to carry because it can be carried on one's back or suspended from shoulder. Convertible garment bags will not take up extra space, and in fact reduce the number of bags required to be carried. However, the convertible garment bags previously designed have been quite complicated and are not readily usable by people of different age groups, especially by children.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a convertible garment bag, which can serve as an upper garment as well as a tote bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment convertible into a bag. The garment comprises a single piece of fabric composed of a front panel and a back panel connected together defining a neck opening, two shoulder straps, a left arm opening and a right arm opening. A pair of zipper members disposed at bottom circumferential edges of the front panel and the back panel, wherein the garment is converted into a bag such as a tote bag or a shoulder bag by fastening the zipper members.

The bag can be converted back again to garment by unfastening the zipper members. The tote bag thus created can be used for carrying clothes, footwear, wallet or purse, sunglasses and other accessories. The garment generally takes the shape of a sleeveless shirt or a tank top, which can be worn as an additional liner over any garment. The garment eliminates the need to carry extra bags for storing small items. The convertible garment can be designed for male and female users, belonging to different age groups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the convertible garment for men.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the convertible garment for men.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the convertible garment for men.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the convertible garment for women.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the convertible garment for women.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the convertible garment for women.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the convertible garment with a pocket.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the convertible garment with a hood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The terms “garment”, “convertible garment” and “convertible garment bag” are used interchangeably herein, referring to a garment, which is convertible into a bag.

Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of a convertible garment 100 for men. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrates a front view and side view respectively of the garment 100 for men, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment 100 comprises a fabric body 101 composed of a front panel 102 and a back panel 104 connected together defining a V-shaped neck opening 103, two shoulder straps 106, a left arm opening 108 and a right arm opening 110. The garment 100 comprises a crew neck or V-neck. A pair of zipper members 112, 114 disposed at bottom circumferential edges of the front panel 102 and the back panel 102 respectively. The garment 100 can be converted into a bag such as a tote bag or a shoulder bag by bringing together the bottom circumferential edges and fastening the zipper members 112 and 114. The shoulder straps 106 can be used for holding and carrying the bag.

The fabric body 101 is made out of a single piece of fabric material comprising natural or synthetic fibers. The front panel 102 is continuous with the back panel 104 defining the neck opening 103 to receive head and neck of a wearer. The fabric body 101 further comprises the left arm opening 108 and right arm opening 110 separated from the neck opening 103 by a pair of shoulder straps 106. The pair of zipper members 112, 114 at the bottom circumferential edge of front panel 102 and back panel 104 are unfastened during usage as a garment 100 and fastened together when used as a tote bag. The sides may comprise a slim pocket 116.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the convertible garment 100 for women, the garment 100 comprise a crew neck or v-neck. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrates a front view and side view respectively of the garment 100 for women, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment 100 comprises a fabric body 101 composed of a front panel 102 and a back panel 104 connected together defining a neck opening 103, two shoulder straps 106, a left arm opening 108 and a right arm opening 110. A pair of zipper members 112, 114 disposed at bottom circumferential edges of the front panel 102 and the back panel 102 respectively.

The convertible garment 100 can also be used by young boys and girls, also teen boys and girls. The convertible garment 100 is advantageous to children and young kids, as the garment 100 can be converted into their own tote bag for carrying their personal belongings.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the convertible garment 100 with a pocket 130. FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the convertible garment 100 with a loose or throw over hood 140. In a different embodiment, the garment 100 may also comprises other type fastening members such as hook and loop type fasteners attached along the bottom circumferential edge of the fabric body 101. The convertible garment 100 comprises a front pocket 118 attached to the front panel. The convertible garment 100can be manufactured in various sizes and designs in order to suit users from diverse age groups. For example, children can have their own bag, which can also be used as an outer garment.

In an embodiment, the convertible garment 100 may comprise an upper garment such as a sleeveless shirt or a tank top with a zipper fastener at the bottom, which can be fastened to convert the garment into a tote bag. The convertible garment 100 is easy to wear during visits to outdoor locations such as beach or pool. In an exemplary embodiment, convertible garment 100 can be worn over bathing suit or swimwear. On arriving at a swimming pool or beach, the wearer can slip off the garment 100, close the garment bottom by fastening the zipper members 112, 114 and throw in items such as clothing, footwear, wallet or purse and other accessories. Using the shoulder straps 106, the garment bag 100 can be carried by hanging on either side of the wearer's shoulder.

The convertible garment or convertible garment bag 100can be of great use for children. The convertible garment bag 100 enables each child to hold or carry their belongings in their own bags, which can also be worn as an outer garment. The convertible garment bag 100 can also be of great use for people who do not wish to carry bags or who prefer to carry less number of bags or people who would like to travel lightly.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment convertible into a bag, the garment comprising: a single piece of fabric comprising a front panel and a back panel connected together defining a neck opening, two shoulder straps, a left arm opening and a right arm opening; and a pair of zipper members disposed at bottom circumferential edges of the front panel and the back panel, wherein the garment is converted into a bag by fastening the zipper members.
 2. The garment of claim 1, further comprises a detachable hood attached to the back panel.
 3. The garment of claim 1, further comprises a pocket attached to the front panel.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises natural or synthetic fibers.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a tote bag or a shoulder bag.
 6. The garment of claim 1, comprises an upper body garment.
 7. The garment of claim 6, comprises a sleeveless shirt or a tank top. 